I Was Stranded on a Deserted Island with a Beautiful Classmate

~Chitose’s perspective

In a storm as fierce as a typhoon, the ship was drifting away.

We had miraculously gotten a ship and managed to board it, but…none of us, including me, knew how to steer it.

But…

It seemed that Yaegashi-san had learned how to steer from Kitakami-san.

“…So, you do this, and then…”

“Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Probably…”

She was really flustered.

I wanted to help her, but there was nothing I could do. All I could do was pray.

Ooi-san and the others who were watching beside her were getting anxious.

“Hey, Yaegashi-san. At this rate, the ship’s going to capsize!”

“I know, Ooi-san! But I’ve never steered a ship before, and I have no idea what I’m supposed to do!”

“Didn’t Kitakami-san explain it to you earlier?”

“Yes, but…he explained it all at once…”

Yaegashi-san was losing confidence. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before the ship flipped over. I won’t let that happen. To save Hayasaka-kun and the others, I have to do something.

“I’ll help. Just tell me what to do.”

“O-Okay…”

“Well, first, let’s check this…push something…then turn the key to start the engine…move the lever…ah, I don’t get it!”

Yaegashi-san held her head in her hands.

With such vague instructions, I couldn’t understand either.

So steering a ship involves so many steps?

There were buttons and levers everywhere, and it was all very confusing.

“Please don’t give up! I’ll give it a try!”

“Ch-Chitose-san…Okay, I’ll leave it to you.”

We switched seats, and I proceeded according to the vague instructions we had been given. Momose-chan was looking at me anxiously.

No, it wasn’t just her. Everyone was filled with unease.

I have to move quickly…

Just as I thought that…

‘――――Gagagagagagaga’

A strange sound echoed, and the ship shook violently. It seemed we were being swept away by the strong waves.

“Whoa!!” “Kya!?” “W-wait…this is bad…” “We’re sinking! We’re going to sink!!” “No way!!”

The ship rattled, making an ominous noise, as if it might sink at any moment. Wait, isn’t this the same sound as on the first day?

“Wait!! The ship is drifting!!”

Ootsuka-san, who had been watching outside, shouted.

We were being battered by fierce waves.

“T-Turn the key and start the engine already!!”

I turned the key, hoping for anything to work. Even cars start when you turn the key, so it should be the same.

The engine started—Wait, what!?

“W-What’s wrong, Chitose-san!?”

“Yaegashi-san, um…the engine stopped…”

“The engine stopped!? No way!! Why!?”

“I-I don’t know.”

The engine suddenly stopped, and there was no response. I thought it was working…Why…?

While I was panicking, the ship tilted sharply.

‘――――Creeeeeak’

A groaning sound echoed.

This is a bad sign…

“Yaegashi-san, let’s escape…”

“Escape? To where!? We’re in the middle of the sea. There’s nowhere to run…”

Everyone was losing hope.

We had finally escaped the island, and we were so sure we’d make it home…How did it come to this?

Is there really nothing I can do…?

Desperately, I tried to start the engine again.

But no matter what I did, the engine wouldn’t start.

“This…!”

I was feeling frustrated; I hit the area around the switch.

For some reason, the engine started rattling…and then it started up.

“W-What…Chitose-san!?”

“No way…it started…”

It was a desperate move, but somehow, a miracle had happened. Now, I just had to steer—

‘Do-do-do-dooooom!!’

But then, a wave slammed into the side of the ship. We were being swept away again. W-Wait, is this towards the island…? No way, are we going back!?

“W-Wait, Chitose-san! The ship is heading back to the island!”

“I-I can’t steer! It’s out of control!”

“What the heck!?”

Everyone was panicking, but the violent shaking of the ship made it impossible to focus on anything else. Everyone was clinging to the ship for dear life. I was feeling seasick from the shaking.

Then, a massive wave struck, and it felt as though we were pushed all the way back.

‘………………’

After that, I have no memory.

I was consumed by darkness and lost consciousness…

Despair…Reality…Souls…

Where do they fall from, and where do they disappear to…?

＊＊＊

“…Mm, hot.”

The sunlight was strong.

I woke up, feeling my skin being scorched.

When I sat up, I found myself in a dim place.

But the sound of the gentle waves was soothing, so could it be…have we been returned to the island? Is this the inescapable island…?